Friends don't let friends drive drunk. And friends don't let friends
have their favorite beer flow from a foreign made tap either! As we
continue to come at the Buy American issue from just about every
conceivable angle, another easily overlooked category is the beer tap
industry.

According to Kerry Carlson, President of "What's On Tap?" of
Bellingham, WA, the beer tap industry is being taken over by the
Chinese. As Mr. Carlson rightly points out, this does seem to contradict
the mentality of the micro-brew crowd. After all, isn't at least part of
the mindset behind the micro-brew the idea that you are spending and
keeping your money in your community, or that you are supporting the
local brands? Then why would anyone of that mindset want their beer to
flow from a Chinese-made tap?

Just as many consumer patriots aren't shy about approaching
customer service desks to ask for American-made apparel, micro-brew fans
shouldn't be shy about approaching micro-brew managers about the source
of their taps.

To see a wide variety of American made taps, go to
www.pubtaps.com. It doesn't matter if you
don't happen to personally know anyone who owns a micro-brewery. Next
time you dine where micro-brews are served, ask the manager of the
establishment if they are buying American in this area. If they aren't,
www.pubtaps.com is easy to remember and pass along.